2022

Viinikainen, Jutta; Böckerman, Petri; Hakulinen, Christian; Kari, Jaana, T.; Lehtimäki, Terho; Raitakari, Olli, T.; Pehkonen, Jaakko

Employment is rare among people with a schizophrenia diagnosis. Meanwhile, a genetic liability for schizophrenia may hinder labour market performance. We studied how the polygenic risk score (PGS) for schizophrenia related to education and labour market outcomes. We found that a higher PGS was linked to lower educational levels and weaker labour market outcomes as well as a higher likelihood of receiving social income transfers, particularly among men. Assuming that the link is causal, our results indicate that individuals with schizophrenia or schizophrenia-related traits have a weakened ability to fully participate in the labour market, potentially reinforcing social exclusion.